How does Beaumont balance budget?

The city of Beaumont, like Jefferson County, is struggling to balance its budget for the new fiscal year. We’re going to run an editorial on this challenge for Thursday. What do you think about this? What are some things the City Council should keep in mind as it hammers out the new budget? Should tax rates be increased? Is there any city department that should be reduced … or eliminated? Tell us … whaddya think?